BRC Writes to Ministers on Phased Re-Opening of Shops

BRC has written to the Business Secretary about the phased re-opening of so-called ‘non-essential’ shops, once government feels the public health crisis is being brought under control and improvements made. BRC noted that a phased re-opening is likely to go hand in hand with strict social distancing measures, and that retailers themselves are likely to stagger the opening of their own estates in light of stock availability, customer demand and footfall, and staffing. The BRC highlighted that we are working on guidance for stores on safety procedures. And asked for sufficient notice of the restrictions being eased, explicit support from government for the actions firms will take to protect staff and customers, and for clarity on what PPE retail staff may be required to have or wear.

The key points of the letter are as follows: